File photo of Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal campaigning in Delhi.
In a bid to check any attempt to woo voters through distribution of cash and liquor in Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has launched a special drive to maintain vigil in susceptible areas of the national capital.
Known for its unique initiatives in the elections, AAP has deployed hundreds of volunteers around slums clusters, jhuggis and resettlement colonies in different assembly constituencies in outer Delhi and other areas notorious for such practises under its 'Vote Ki Chowkidari' (protect your vote) programme ahead of tomorrow's vote.
"We have made all efforts to stop the age old practise of distribution of cash and liquor before polls as part of our 'Vote Ki Chowkidari' programme. We have deployed our volunteers, armed with spycams and mobile phone apps that will help them immediately inform Election Commission about any such incident," an AAP leader said.
They would keep a strict vigil in these areas from 5 PM onwards today till early in the morning.
"They would be backed our 30-35 Emergency Response Teams (ERT), which we have deployed strategically, and our legal team throughout the night," he said, adding "we will make all efforts to check this practice".
Giving details about the mobile app, the leader said, "as soon as anyone sends message using the GPS-enabled app, it automatically gives the exact geographical position to our moderator, who confirms the incident and will immediately report it to the Election Commission's helpline".
Praising EC's measures, he said, the poll panel "has made all efforts to check this practice and they had been very active to respond to such complaints".
Apart from deploying its specially trained volunteers, AAP has also educated the voters not to fall prey to such tactics.
The Arvind Kejriwal-led party has distributed over five lakh pamphlets in these areas, making an appeal to people "not to sell their vote for liquor for the sake of the future of their children".
AAP volunteers in Badli village Assembly constituency claimed to have caught red-handed some people allegedly stocking liquor bottles for distributing at night at a cold drink shop.
The party said they got a tip-off about distribution of money by some workers of rival parties in Kalkaji and Narela Assembly constituencies.
"Also, we got information about distribution of liquor in Bawana and most surprising at Palika Dham locality in New Delhi Assembly constituency," he said.